scholarly journals ET190L1-ArtemisTM T Cell Therapy Results in Durable Disease Remissions with No Cytokine Release Syndrome or Neurotoxicity in Patients with Relapsed and Refractory B-Cell Lymphoma

Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 1689-1689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhitao Ying ◽  
Li Long ◽  
Hong Liu ◽  
Yuqin Song ◽  
David A. Rizzieri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Board Of Directors ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Advisory Committees ◽  
T Cell Therapy ◽  
Post Infusion ◽  
Efficacy Assessment

Abstract Background: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell is rapidly emerging as a promising new therapy for cancer. Although it can induce rapid clinical responses, it is also associated with cytokine release syndrome (CRS), the most commonly observed toxicity, which in some cases can lead to life-threatening multi-organ failure. To ameliorate these problems we developed a novel chimeric T-cell therapy platform, the ARTEMIS™ platform, which functionally matches the potency of CAR T-cells, but dramatically reduces the release of cytokines upon killing of target-positive tumor cells. Herein, we describe the first-in-human clinical study of anti-CD19-ARTEMIS, ET190L1-ARTEMISTM, in relapsed and refractory (r/r) B-cell lymphoma. Methods: This dose escalating study is a single-center clinical study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ET190L1-ARTEMIS T cells in patients with r/r CD19+ non-Hodgkin lymphoma, including diffused large B cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, small lymphocytic lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic lymphoma, and splenic marginal zone lymphoma. All patients received conditioning chemotherapy of cyclophosphamide and fludarabine followed by a single infusion of ET190L1-ARTEMISTM T cells at the dose of 1x106, 3x106, and 6x106 ARTEMIS+ T cells per kilogram respectively. The primary endpoint is safety and estimation of the maximum tolerated dose of ET190L1-ARTEMISTM T cells. Secondary objectives include ARTEMIS T-cell engraftment and response assessment by Lugano criteria. Results: Manufacturing was successful for all patients. As of July 18, 2018, 21 patients received autologous ET190L1-ARTEMIS T cells, 3 were infused with 1 × 106 (low dose), 13 received 3 × 106 (medium dose) and 5 received 6 × 106 (high dose) ARTEMIS+ T cells/kg. Expansion of ARTEMIS T cells after infusion was observed in all patients by qPCR and flow cytometry using anti-idiotype antibody. No dose-limiting toxicities and no greater than Grade 2 drug-related adverse events (AEs) were observed. Inflammatory-related cytokines in blood including IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IFNgamma, TNFalpha, and GM-CSF were below detection level in most time points post infusion. AEs consisted of transient fever (38 ~ 39.2°C) from 1 to 4 days post infusion in 9 patients, transient grade 1 skin rash (1 × 106/kgcohort) in one patient. All of these AEs were limited and spontaneously resolved, except in 3 patients where symptomatic treatment for fever was given. No hypotension or any other clinical signs of CRS or neurotoxicity were observed. No anti-IL6 drug was given nor any hospitalization for AEs were needed. One patient with a large lymphoma mass on the right side of the neck experienced transient hand-tremor and unilateral tongue numbness on the right side, possibly due to the rapid shrinkage of tumor nodules around the neck (Table 1). Efficacy assessment was planned at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12 18 and 24 months post infusion. All subjects (n=21) completed 1st month efficacy assessment: 11/21 (52%) responders, with 6/11 (55%) complete remission (CR) and 5/11 (45%) partial remission (PR). Of the 11 responders at 1 month, 8 completed 3rd month efficacy assessment, with 6/6 CRs maintained CR and 2/2 PRs had disease progression. Of the 11 responders at 1 month, 6 completed 6th month efficacy assessment, with 5/6 CRs maintained CR and 1/6 CRs releapsed. Of the 2 SDs at 1 month, 1 progressed at 4.5 month (Table 2). The median follow up time is 3 months and the range of follow up time is 1-8 months. Conclusions: The interim results show that ET190L1-ARTEMISTM T cell therapy is safe and demonstrated promising efficacy in r/r B-cell lymphoma patients at the current dose and schedule, including 11/21 responders and excellent safety profile, with no CRS and neurotoxicity observed. The durability of these efficacy and safety results will be assessed in longer follow up. Clinical trial information: NCT02658929 Disclosures Long: Eureka Therapeutics, Inc.: Employment. Liu:Eureka Therapeutics, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Song:Peking University Cancer Hospital (Beijing Cancer Hospital): Employment. Rizzieri:Jazz: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Teva: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Arog: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Nejadnik:Eureka Therapeutics, Inc.: Employment. Zhu:Beijing Cancer Hospital: Employment. Liu:Eureka Therapeutics, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership.

scholarly journals Adoptive T-Cell Therapy with TCL1-Specific TCR for B-Cell Lymphomas

Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 3488-3488
Author(s):  
Jinsheng Weng ◽  
Kelsey Moriarty ◽  
Yong Pan ◽  
Man Chun John MA ◽  
Rohit Mathur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Cell Therapy ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Board Of Directors ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
B Cell Malignancies ◽  
Advisory Committees ◽  
T Cell Therapy

Abstract Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T-cell therapy targeting CD19 induces high response rates in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell lymphomas. However, about 60% of patients experience primary or secondary resistance after CD19-targeted CAR T-cell therapy and a major of cause of failure appears to be due to loss of CD19 expression on the tumor. Therefore, novel targets for adoptive T-cell therapeutic approaches are needed to further improve clinical outcome in these patients. T-cell leukemia/lymphoma antigen1 (TCL1) is an oncoprotein that is overexpressed in multiple B-cell malignancies including follicular lymphoma (FL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Importantly, it has restricted expression in only a subset of B cells among normal tissues. We previously identified a TCL1-derived HLA-A2-binding epitope (TCL170-79 SLLPIMWQLY) that can be used to generate TCL1-specific CD8+ T cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of both HLA-A2+ normal donors and lymphoma patients. More importantly, we showed that the TCL1-specific CD8+ T cells lysed autologous primary lymphoma cells but not normal B cells (Weng et al. Blood 2012). To translate the above discovery into clinic, we cloned the T-cell receptor (TCR) alpha and beta chains from a TCL1-specific CD8+ T-cell clone and showed that this TCL1-TCR could be transduced into polyclonal donor T cells using a lentiviral system with a transduction efficiency of >40% as determined by TCL170-79 tetramer positive T cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the TCL1-TCR-transduced T cells recognized T2 cells pulsed with TCL170-79 peptide producing IFN- γ >8 ng/ml and IL-2 >350 ng/ml but were not reactive to control HIV-Gag peptide (IFN- γ <0.1 ng/ml and IL-2 <0.2 ng/ml). The TCL1-TCR-transduced T cells recognized TCL170-79 peptide pulsed onto T2 cells at a concentration of 1-10 nM (IL-2 >10 ng/ml) suggesting it has moderate to high avidity. Importantly, TCL1-TCR-transduced T cells lysed HLA-A2+ (up to 43% lysis of Mino and 25% lysis of Jeko-1 at 40:1 Effector:Target ratio) but not HLA-A2- lymphoma cell lines (5.5% lysis of HLA A2- Raji and 2.3% lysis of Daudi at 40:1 Effector:Target ratio). TCL1-TCR-transduced T cells were also cytotoxic to HLA-A2+ primary lymphoma tumor cells (up to 48% lysis of CLL, 43% lysis of FL, 41% lysis of DLBCL, 46% lysis of splenic marginal zone lymphoma, and 11% lysis of MCL at 40:1 Effector:Target ratio) but not normal B cells derived from the same patients. Lastly, TCL1-TCR transduced T cells showed high efficacy in in vivo models. Adoptive transfer of the TCL1-TCR-tranduced T cells significantly reduced lymphoma tumor growth and extended survival in Mino mantle cell lymphoma cell line xenograft model (48% survival in TCL1-TCR-T treated group vs. 12.5% survival in control group at 10 weeks n=7-8 mice/group; P=0.02). Collectively, our data suggest that the high expression in B-cell tumors, restricted expression in normal tissues, and presence of an immunogenic CD8 T-cell epitope, make TCL1 a target for T cell-based therapeutic approaches in multiple B-cell malignancies. Our results also demonstrate that the TCL1-specific TCR-transduced T cells may serve as a novel adoptive immunotherapy approach for the treatment of patients with various B-cell malignancies (including FL, MCL, DLBCL, CLL). Acknowledgments: This study is supported by MD Anderson Moon Shot Program and CPRIT and the National Natural Science Foundation of China Grant (No. 81570189) Disclosures Neelapu: Kite/Gilead: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Cellectis: Research Funding; Poseida: Research Funding; Merck: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Acerta: Research Funding; Karus: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Unum Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

scholarly journals Preliminary Clinical Results of a Phase 1 Study Evaluating the Safety and Anti-Tumor Activity of ACTR707 in Combination with Rituximab in Subjects with Relapsed or Refractory CD20+ B-Cell Lymphoma

Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 2966-2966 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian W. Flinn ◽  
Jonathon B. Cohen ◽  
Luke P. Akard ◽  
Samantha Jaglowski ◽  
Michael Vasconcelles ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Board Of Directors ◽  
Dose Level ◽  
Dose Escalation ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Advisory Committees

Abstract Background: Recent regulatory approvals of two CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-expressing autologous T lymphocyte therapies provide compelling evidence of the clinical potential of re-engineering T cells to specifically attack tumor cells, but the broader applicability of these therapies is constrained by safety considerations and target specificity. A universal approach to T cell therapy that enables flexibility in tumor target selection has been demonstrated by engineering autologous T cells to express an antibody-coupled T cell receptor (ACTR) composed of the ectodomain of the CD16 Fc receptor fused to costimulatory and CD3ζ signaling domains. Thus, the ACTR platform couples T cell anti-tumor effector functions, including cytotoxicity, cytokine production, and T cell proliferation, to target-specific therapeutic antibodies. Here we present the preliminary clinical findings of the ongoing, multicenter Phase 1 study, ATTCK-20-03 (NCT03189836), of ACTR707, a CD28-containing ACTR chimeric receptor, in combination with rituximab in subjects with relapsed or refractory CD20+ B cell lymphoma. Methods: The primary objectives of this first-in-human, dose escalation study are to evaluate the safety of the combination of ACTR707 and rituximab and to determine a maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and a proposed recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). Other objectives include evaluation of antitumor activity, and assessment of ACTR T cell persistence, cytokine levels, and rituximab pharmacokinetics. Eligible subjects must have histologically confirmed relapsed or refractory CD20+ non-Hodgkin lymphoma and have received prior anti-CD20 mAb in combination with chemotherapy. Subjects received lymphodepleting chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide 400 mg/m2 and fludarabine 30 mg/m2) for 3 days, followed by rituximab (375 mg/m2) and ACTR707. Additional doses of rituximab were administered, one dose every 3 weeks in the absence of disease progression. The study is separated into 2 sequential phases, a dose escalation and a safety expansion phase. During the dose escalation phase, ACTR707 is being tested at increasing doses in combination with rituximab. Results: Six subjects were enrolled and received ACTR707 at the first dose level in combination with rituximab: 5 diagnosed with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (83%) and one with follicular lymphoma, Grade 3b (17%). Median age was 61 years (range: 57-76), 83% were male, 50% were treated with ≥3 lines of prior therapy, and 67% had no response to or relapse within 6 months from immediate prior therapy. ACTR707 was successfully manufactured for all subjects and demonstrated post-infusion expansion in the peripheral blood. ACTR+ T cells were detectable at Day 28 post-infusion for all subjects tested. No dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were observed at the first dose level in 4 DLT-evaluable subjects (2 subjects experienced disease progression during the DLT evaluation period). There were no cytokine release syndrome (CRS) or autoimmune adverse events (AEs), serious or severe (≥Gr3) neurotoxicity AEs, or deaths on treatment. AEs (all grades) reported in >1 subject included neutropenia (n=3), anemia, decreased appetite, febrile neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia (each in 2 subjects); the 2 events of febrile neutropenia were considered serious. Investigator-reported complete responses were observed in 3 of 6 subjects. These complete responses (duration of response range: 47+ to 81+ days) are ongoing as of the data cut-off. Enrollment into the second dose level is ongoing. Conclusions: ACTR707 in combination with rituximab induced complete responses in 3 of 6 subjects with relapsed or refractory aggressive CD20+ B cell lymphoma treated at the first dose level with ACTR707 in combination with rituximab, with no CRS, serious or severe (≥Gr3) neurotoxicity, or AEs leading to treatment discontinuation. ACTR+ T cells were detectable in all subjects and persisted. These results support the continued dose escalation of ACTR707 in combination with rituximab. Updated data, inclusive of preliminary dose level 2 and correlative biomarkers, will be presented. Disclosures Flinn: Verastem: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Kite: Research Funding; Forty Seven: Research Funding; BeiGene: Research Funding; ArQule: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding; TG Therapeutics: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Forma: Research Funding; Verastem: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Agios: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding; Trillium: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Calithera: Research Funding; Constellation: Research Funding; Gilead: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Infinity: Research Funding; Portola: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Curis: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Cohen:BioInvent: Consultancy; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Infinity Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millennium: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Research Funding. Akard:Gilead: Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Speakers Bureau. Jaglowski:Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation: Consultancy, Research Funding; Kite Pharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Juno: Consultancy. Vasconcelles:Unum Therapeutics: Employment. Ranger:Unum Therapeutics: Employment. Harris:Unum Therapeutics: Employment. Payumo:Unum Therapeutics: Employment. Motz:Unum Therapeutics: Employment. Bachanova:Gamida Cell: Research Funding; Kite Pharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; GT Biopharma: Research Funding.

IVAC +/- R for Relapsed or Refractory B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas: Real-World Experience in the Modern Era

Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 10-10
Author(s):  
Michael J Buege ◽  
Phuong H Dao ◽  
Esther Drill ◽  
Andréa C LeVoir ◽  
Terry Pak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Board Of Directors ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Hematologic Toxicity ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Advisory Committees ◽  
Prophylactic Measures ◽  
Grade 3

Introduction Part B of the modified Magrath regimen (ifosfamide, etoposide, and cytarabine; IVAC) with or without rituximab (R) is utilized as a standalone regimen in the management of relapsed/refractory Burkitt lymphoma and other non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL). There are no comparative or prospective data and a paucity of retrospective, non-comparative data to support use of this regimen. A small retrospective study described second-line IVAC use without R in a mixed cohort of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) or peripheral T-cell lymphoma, suggesting utility as a bridge to hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) (Pereira J, et al. Leuk Res. 2006 Jun;30(6):681-5). The activity of this regimen in B-cell NHL, particularly in conjunction with R, and its toxicity remain incompletely described. In this study, we describe our institutional experience with IVAC +/- R in relapsed/refractory B-cell NHL. Methods We reviewed all patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell NHL treated with IVAC +/- R between 1 January 2004 and 30 September 2019 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to assess efficacy and toxicity. Patients who received IVAC as part of sequential or alternating chemotherapy were excluded. Standard dosing consisted of ifosfamide 1500mg/m2 IV over 60min days 1-5, etoposide 60mg/m2 IV over 60min days 1-5, cytarabine 2000mg/m2 IV over 3 hours every 12 hours days 1-2, with or without rituximab 375mg/m2 IV day 0 or 1 in 21- to 28-day cycles (Lacasce A, et al. Leuk Lymphoma. 2004 Apr;45(4):761-7). Results Cohort and treatment characteristics are described in Table 1. Among 54 eligible patients (median age 51 years), 76% had DLBCL; 30% had lymphomatous central nervous system involvement at the time of initiating IVAC. Patients had received median 2 prior lines of therapy, with the last dose of the most recent line of therapy administered a median of 3 weeks prior to initiating IVAC. Patients received median 2 cycles of IVAC +/- R; 48% received IVAC-R. Prophylactic antimicrobials with cycle 1 were utilized in 94%. Most patients received herpesvirus- (81%) and Pneumocystis- (80%) directed prophylaxis; broad-spectrum prophylaxis with a fluoroquinolone was less common (24%). Primary granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF) was utilized in 93% of patients with cycle 1; primary or secondary GCSF was utilized in 94% of cycles. Efficacy outcomes are described in Table 1. Objective response rate (ORR) among 46 evaluated patients was 48%; 17% achieved CR. ORR did not vary significantly between patients who did or did not receive R (58% vs 42%; p = 0.5) but was associated with number of IVAC cycles administered (among responders, 69% received 3-4 cycles while 31% received 1-2 cycles; p &lt; 0.001). At median follow-up of 22 months, median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 3.1 months and 4.9 months, respectively (Figure). In Cox proportional hazard regression analysis of survival, patients who received R with every cycle (p = 0.025) and received 3 or more cycles (p &lt; 0.001) experienced significantly longer PFS. Patients who achieved CR (p &lt; 0.001) or PR (p = 0.003), received R with every cycle (p &lt; 0.001), received 3 or more cycles (p &lt; 0.001), or underwent subsequent HCT or CAR-T cell therapy (p = 0.001) experienced significantly longer OS. Toxicity outcomes are described in Table 2. Grade ≥ 3 anemia (93%), neutropenia (94%), and thrombocytopenia (100%; all grade 4) were common, regardless of number of cycles received. Febrile neutropenia (FN) occurred in 65% of patients and complicated 47% of cycles; documented infection occurred in 44%. Risk of FN and infection did not appear to be influenced by use of antimicrobial or GCSF prophylaxis. Grade ≥ 3 elevations in AST/ALT or total bilirubin were uncommon (5.6% and 9.3%, respectively). Neurotoxicity attributed to cytarabine or ifosfamide occurred in 17% of patients and was usually low-grade; hemorrhagic cystitis occurred in one patient. In patients for whom cause of death was documented (n = 37), mortality was attributed to a treatment-related complication in 19%. Conclusion IVAC-R may be a useful bridging therapy for patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell NHL who are planned for HCT. However, its potential for profound hematologic toxicity and life-threatening complications despite prophylactic measures requires careful consideration of less toxic alternatives. Disclosures Straus: Elsevier: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: CME writer; Targeted Oncology: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Imedex, Inc.: Speakers Bureau; NY Lymphoma Rounds: Consultancy; Takeda Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Karyopharm Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; OncLive: Speakers Bureau; ASH: Other: Conference in December 2019 on HL to other physicians during ASH; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

scholarly journals CD229 CAR T Cell Therapy for the Treatment of Relapsed B Cell Lymphoma

Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 2800-2800
Author(s):  
Michael Olson ◽  
Tim Luetkens ◽  
Fiorella Iglesias ◽  
Sabarinath Radhakrishnan ◽  
Jennie Y. Law ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
T Cell Therapy ◽  
Car T Cells ◽  
Car T Cell ◽  
Car T Cell Therapy ◽  
Car T

Abstract B cell lymphoma is the most common hematologic malignancy in the United States. Although treatment options have greatly improved in the past several decades, outcomes for patients with relapsed B cell lymphoma remain poor. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have recently entered the clinic with promise to address the gap in effective therapies for patients relapsed B cell lymphoma. However, antigen loss and poor CAR T cell persistence has been shown to drive resistance to the widely approved CD19-targeted CAR in some patients, demonstrating the need for additional therapies. Here, we demonstrate CD229-targeted CAR T cell therapy as a promising option for the treatment of relapsed B cell lymphoma, addressing an important group of patients with typically poor outcomes. CD229 is an immune-modulating receptor expressed on the surface of B cells that we recently found to be highly expressed in the plasma cell neoplasm multiple myeloma (Radhakrishnan et al. 2020). We utilized semi-quantitative PCR and flow cytometry to assess whether CD229 is also expressed on malignant B cells earlier in development as found in B cell lymphoma. Expression analysis revealed the presence of CD229 in a panel of 11 B cell lymphoma cell lines and 45 primary B cell lymphoma samples comprising several subsets of disease including aggressive B cell lymphomas such as diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and Burkitt lymphoma as well as indolent subtypes of B cell lymphoma including chronic lymphoblastic leukemia (CLL) and follicular lymphoma. Of note, CD229 was found to be overexpressed on primary B cell lymphoma cells when compared to autologous normal B cells. Given the high levels of CD229 expression throughout all B cell lymphoma subtypes analyzed, we generated CD229 CAR T cells in order to determine whether CAR T cell therapy is an effective way to target CD229 expressing B cell lymphoma cells. CD229 CAR T cells exhibited robust cytotoxicity when cocultured with B cell lymphoma cell lines and primary samples characterized by significant production of TH1 cytokines IL-2, TNF and IFNγ and rapid loss of B cell lymphoma cell viability when compared to control CAR T cells lacking an antigen binding scFv domain (∆scFv CAR T cells). In vivo analysis revealed effective tumor control in NSG mice carrying B cell lymphoma cell lines JeKo-1 (MCL) and DB (DLBCL) when treated with CD229 CAR T cells versus ∆scFv CAR T cells. Finally, we sought to determine the efficacy of CD229 CAR T cells in the context of CD19 CAR T cell therapy relapse. Here, a 71-year-old patient with CLL had an initial response when treated with CD19 CAR T cells but quickly relapsed only 2 months after treatment. Malignant cells from the CLL patient retained CD229 expression as identified by flow cytometry and an ex vivo coculture with CD229 CAR T cells revealed robust killing of CLL cells by CD229 CAR T cells. Transfer of antigen from target cell to CAR T cell by trogocytosis was recently suggested to drive relapse following CAR T cell therapy by decreasing antigen on tumor cells and promoting CAR T cell fratricide (Hamieh et al. 2019). We cocultured CD19 and CD229 CAR T cells with primary CLL cells and assessed CD19 and CD229 expression as well as CAR T cell viability by flow cytometry. In contrast with CD19 CAR T cells, CD229 CARs did not strip their target antigen from the surface of CLL cells. The transfer of CD19 from CLL cells to CD19 CAR T cells resulted in poor CAR T cell viability while CD229 CAR T cell viability remained high following coculture. In summary, we demonstrate that CD229 is a promising therapeutic target in B cell lymphoma due to its high levels of expression throughout many subtypes of disease. CD229 CAR T cells effectively kill B cell lymphoma cells in vitro and control growth of aggressive B cell lymphomas in vivo. Finally, CD229 CAR T cells are effective against primary CLL cells from patients that have relapsed from CD19 CAR T cell therapy and do no exhibit antigen loss by trogocytosis. Taken together, these data suggest that CD229 CAR T cell therapy may be a promising option to address the poor outcomes for patients with relapsed B cell lymphoma. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Nanatinostat (Nstat) and Valganciclovir (VGCV) in Relapsed/Refractory (R/R) Epstein-Barr Virus-Positive (EBV +) Lymphomas: Final Results from the Phase 1b/2 VT3996-201 Study

Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 623-623
Author(s):  
Bradley M. Haverkos ◽  
Onder Alpdogan ◽  
Robert Baiocchi ◽  
Jonathan E Brammer ◽  
Tatyana A. Feldman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Board Of Directors ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
T Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Advisory Committees ◽  
Phase 1B

Abstract Introduction: EBV can be associated with several types of lymphomas, with reported frequencies of up to 8-10% in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), 30-100% in peripheral T cell lymphoma (PTCL) subtypes, 80% in post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD), and 15-30% in classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), with adverse impact on outcomes. Nanatinostat (Nstat) is a Class-I selective oral HDAC inhibitor that induces the expression of the lytic BGLF4 EBV protein kinase in EBV + tumor cells, activating ganciclovir (GCV) via phosphorylation. This results in GCV-induced inhibition of viral and cellular DNA synthesis and apoptosis. Herein we report the final results from this exploratory study for patients with R/R EBV + lymphomas (NCT03397706). Methods: Patients aged ≥18 with histologically confirmed EBV + lymphomas (defined as any degree of EBER-ISH positivity), R/R to ≥1 prior systemic therapies with an absolute neutrophil count ≥1.0×10 9/L, platelet count ≥50×10 9/L, and no curative treatment options per investigator were enrolled into 5 dose escalation cohorts to determine the recommended phase 2 doses (RP2D) of Nstat + VGCV for phase 2 expansion. Phase 2 patients received the RP2D (Nstat 20 mg daily, 4 days per week + VGCV 900 mg orally daily) in 28-day cycles until disease progression or withdrawal. Primary endpoints were safety/RP2D (phase 1b) and overall response rate (ORR) (phase 2); secondary endpoints were pharmacokinetics, duration of response (DoR), time to response, progression free survival and overall survival. Responses were assessed using Lugano 2014 response criteria beginning at week 8. Results: As of 18 June 2021, 55 patients were enrolled (phase 1b: 25; phase 2: 30). Lymphoma subtypes were DLBCL (n=7), extranodal NK/T-cell (ENKTL) (n=9), PTCL, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS) (n=5), angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma (n=6), cutaneous T cell (n=1), HL (n=11), other B cell (n=3), and immunodeficiency-associated lymphoproliferative disorders (IA-LPD) (n=13), including PTLD (n=4), HIV-associated (n=5), and other [n=4: systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (n=2), common variable/primary immunodeficiency (n=2)]. Median age was 60 years (range 19-84), M/F 35/20, median number of prior therapies was 2 (range 1-11), 76% had ≥2 prior therapies, 78% were refractory to their most recent prior therapy, and 84% had exhausted standard therapies. EBER positivity ranged from &lt;1 to 90% in 42 tumor biopsies with central lab review. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) of all grades were nausea (38%), neutropenia (34%), thrombocytopenia (34%), and constipation (31%). Grade 3/4 TEAEs in &gt;10% of patients included neutropenia (27%), thrombocytopenia (20%), anemia (20%), and lymphopenia (14%). Dose reductions and interruptions due to treatment-related AEs were reported in 14 (25%) and 16 (29%) patients, respectively. Only 1 patient had to discontinue therapy. There were no cases of CMV reactivation. For 43 evaluable patients (EBER-ISH + with ≥ 1 post-treatment response assessment) across all histologies, the investigator-assessed ORR and complete response (CR) rates were 40% (17/43) and 19% (8/43) respectively. Patients with T/NK-NHL (n=15; all refractory to their last therapy) had an ORR of 60% (n=9) with 27% (n=4) CRs. Two patients (ENKTL and PTCL-NOS) in PR and CR respectively were withdrawn at 6.7 and 6.6 months (m) respectively for autologous stem cell transplantation. For DLBCL (n=6), ORR/CR was 67%/33% (both CRs were in patients refractory to first-line R-CHOP). For IA-LPD (n=13), ORR/CR was 30%/20% (PTLD: 1 CR, other: 1 CR, 1 PR). For HL (n=10), there was 1 PR (4 SD). The median DoR for all responders was 10.4 m, with a median follow-up from response of 5.7 m (range 1.9-34.1 m). For the 17 responders, 8 lasted ≥ 6 months. Conclusions: The combination of Nstat and VGCV was well-tolerated with a manageable toxicity profile and shows promising efficacy in patients with R/R EBV + lymphomas, particularly in refractory T/NK-NHL, a heterogeneous group of aggressive lymphomas with dismal outcomes, with multiple durable responses. Further evaluation of this novel combination therapy for the treatment of recurrent EBV + lymphomas is ongoing in the phase 2 VT3996-202 trial. Disclosures Haverkos: Viracta Therapeutics, Inc.: Honoraria, Research Funding. Baiocchi: Prelude Therapeutics: Consultancy; viracta: Consultancy, Current holder of stock options in a privately-held company; Codiak Biosciences: Research Funding; Atara Biotherapeutics: Consultancy. Brammer: Seattle Genetics: Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Research Funding; Kymera Therapeutics: Consultancy. Feldman: Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease: Honoraria, Other: Study investigator. Brem: Karyopharm: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; SeaGen: Speakers Bureau; BeiGene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; KiTE Pharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy; ADC Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pharmacyclics/Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Morphosys/Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Scheinberg: Roche: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy; BioCryst Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Alexion pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Joffe: AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Epizyme: Consultancy. Katkov: Viracta Therapeutics, Inc.: Current Employment. McRae: Viracta Therapeutics, Inc.: Current Employment. Royston: Viracta Therapeutics, Inc.: Current Employment. Rojkjaer: Viracta Therapeutics, Inc.: Current Employment. Porcu: Viracta: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Innate Pharma: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; BeiGene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Daiichi: Honoraria, Research Funding; Kiowa: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Spectrum: Consultancy; DrenBio: Consultancy.

scholarly journals PiggyBac-Generated CAR19-T Cells Plus Lenalidomide Cause Durable Complete Remission of Triple-Hit Refractory/Relapsed DLBCL: A Case Report

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenggong Li ◽  
Yan Sun ◽  
Jing Wang ◽  
Lu Tang ◽  
Huiwen Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Complete Remission ◽  
Cell Therapy ◽  
Maintenance Therapy ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Tp53 Mutation ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
T Cell Therapy

MYC/BCL2/BCL6 triple-hit lymphoma (THL) is an uncommon subset of high-grade B-cell lymphoma with aggressive clinical behavior and poor prognosis. TP53 mutation is an independently poor progonistic indicator in patients with THL, hence novel therapeutic strategies are needed for these patients. CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor(CAR19)-T cell therapy has shown promising efficacy for relapsed/refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma (RR DLBCL), but the majority of CAR19-T cell products to date have been manufactured using viral vectors. PiggyBac transposon system, with an inclination to memory T cells, offers a more convenient and economical alternative for transgene delivery. We herein report the first case of triple-hit RR DLBCL with TP53 mutation who was treated with piggyBac-generated CAR19-T cells and accompanied by grade 2 cytokine release syndrome. The patient obtained a complete remission (CR) in the 2nd month post-infusion and demanded maintenance therapy. Whether maintenance therapy is favorable and how to administrate it after CAR-T cell infusion remain controversial. Preclinical studies demonstrated that lenalidomide could enhance antitumor activity of CAR19-T cells. Therefore, we pioneered oral lenalidomide after CAR19-T therapy in the patient from the 4th month, and he discontinued after one cycle due to side effects. The patient has still kept sustained CR for over 24 months. Our case have firstly demonstrated the feasibility, preliminary safety and efficacy of piggyBac-produced CAR19-T cell therapy in triple-hit lymphoma. The innovative combination with lenalidomide warrants further investigation. Our findings shed new light on the possible solutions to improve short-term relapse after CAR19-T cell therapy in RR DLBCL. ChiCTR, number ChiCTR1800018111.

scholarly journals Salvage Therapy With Polatuzumab Vedotin, Bendamustine, and Rituximab Prior to Allogeneic Hematopoietic Transplantation in Patients With Aggressive Lymphomas Relapsing After Therapy With Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cells—Report on Two Cases

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin Gerhardt ◽  
Madlen Jentzsch ◽  
Thomas Georgi ◽  
Aleksandra Sretenović ◽  
Michael Cross ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Cell Therapy ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
T Cell Therapy ◽  
Car T Cell ◽  
Car T Cell Therapy ◽  
Car T

Up to 60% of patients with aggressive B-cell lymphoma who receive chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy experience treatment failure and subsequently have a poor prognosis. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) remains a potentially curative approach for patients in this situation. Induction of a deep response prior to alloHSCT is crucial for long-term outcomes, but the optimal bridging strategy following relapse after CAR T-cell therapy has not yet been established. Polatuzumab vedotin, an antibody drug conjugate targeting CD79b, is a novel treatment option for use in combination with rituximab and bendamustine (Pola-BR) in relapsed or refractory disease. Patients: We report two heavily pretreated patients with primary refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) respectively who relapsed after therapy with CAR T-cells with both nodal and extranodal manifestations of the disease. After application of three courses of Pola-BR both patients achieved a complete metabolic remission. Both patients underwent alloHSCT from a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-mismatched donor following conditioning with busulfan and fludarabine and are disease free 362 days and 195 days after alloHSCT respectively. We conclude that Pola-BR can be an effective bridging therapy before alloHSCT of patients relapsing after CAR T-cell therapy. Further studies will be necessary to define the depth and durability of remission of this salvage regimen before alloHSCT.

scholarly journals CD19/CD22 Dual-Targeted Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy for Relapsed/Refractory Aggressive B-Cell Lymphoma: a Safety and Efficacy Study

Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 34-34
Author(s):  
Yongxian Hu ◽  
Yanlei Zhang ◽  
Houli Zhao ◽  
Yiyun Wang ◽  
Arnon Nagler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
T Cell Therapy ◽  
Car T Cells ◽  
Car T ◽  
Aggressive B Cell Lymphoma

Introduction Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell therapy has revolutionized the treatment of relapsed/refractory (R/R) B-cell hematological malignancies, primarily acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). CD19 CAR-T cells have been extensively studied and have been shown to yield complete remission (CR) rates of about 90% in R/R ALL, but substantially lower (50%) rates in R/R NHL. Moreover, persistence is usually limited, and antigen escape-mediated relapse is a major limitation. Dual CAR-T cells targeting both CD19 and CD22 may address these limitations. Patients and methods We developed a bispecific CAR-T cells that could concomitantly recognize CD19- and CD22-expressing targets by incorporating both CD19 and CD22 single-chain variables in a single CAR construct (Figure 1A). We designed a prospective study to assess the safety and efficacy profiles of the dual CAR-T therapy in patients with R/R aggressive B-cell lymphoma. Results The preclinical cytotoxicity evaluation of the CD19/CD22 dual-targeted CAR-T cells was performed in comparison with mono-specific CD19-BB-002 and CD22-BB-002 CAR-T cells in HeLa cells that were engineered to express CD19, CD22, or both antigens. The dual-antigen specific CAR-T cells performed equally well when compared with the mono-specific CAR-T cells when there was only a single antigen present on the target cells; better performance was observed when both antigens were present on target cells (Figure 1B). In addition, the dual-antigen specific CAR-T cells induced equal amounts of interleukin (IL)-3, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and interferon (IFN)-γ, when compared with the two mono-specific CAR-T cells (Figure 1C). Furthermore, the CD19 CAR-T cells induced more IL-2 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α than the CD22 CAR-T cells and dual-antigen CAR-T cells. However, in the presence of both CD19 and CD22 antigens, the dual-specific CAR-T cell tended to produce more granzyme B, which may explain the higher degree of cytotoxicity when compared with the two mono-specific CAR-T cells (Figure 1D). Twenty-four patients were screened. Of the 16 eligible patients 14 (87.5%) achieved objective response (RR), with 10 (62.5%) achieving complete response (CR). The 2-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 77.3% and 40.2%, respectively (Figure 2A). Achieving CR (HR: 0.017, 95% CI: 0.000-0.935; P=0.046) and number of prior lines of chemotherapy (n=2) (HR:135.784, 95% CI: 1.069-17248.110, P=0.047) were found as independent prognostic factors associated with favorable PFS. The 2-year OS and PFS of the CR patients were higher than those of the non-CR patients (100% versus 41.7%, P=0.015; 66.7% versus 0%, P &lt; 0.001), respectively (Figure 2B). The 2-year PFS in patients received 2 prior lines of chemotherapy was higher as compared to those that received more than 2 lines of chemotherapy (68.6% versus 16.7%, P=0.049) whereas the OS in the 2 groups did not differ significantly (83.3% and 71.1%, P=0.613) (Figure 2C). Severe grade 3 cytokine release syndrome (CRS) was observed in only one patient, while 4 had grade one and 11 had grade 2, respectively. No patient developed neurotoxicity. Conclusions Immunotherapy with a novel CD19/CD22 dual targeted CAR-T cells yields a potent and durable anti-lymphoma response with no neurotoxicity or severe CRS. Bispecific CD19/CD22 CAR-T cells represent a safe and potent anti-lymphoma cellular based targeted immunotherapy. Figure 1 Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Integrated Genetic and Topological Analysis Reveals a Hodgkin-like Mechanism of Immune Escape in T-Cell/Histiocyte-Rich Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 1579-1579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel K Griffin ◽  
Margaretha G.M. Roemer ◽  
Mikel Lipschitz ◽  
Jason Weirather ◽  
Christine J. Pak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Board Of Directors ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Advisory Committees ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Large B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Large B Cell

Abstract Introduction: T-cell/histiocyte-rich large B-cell lymphoma (TCRLBCL) is an aggressive large B cell lymphoma that typically presents with disseminated disease. In contrast to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (DLBCL), TCRLBCL is characterized histologically by rare malignant B-cells within a robust but ineffective inflammatory background composed of numerous T cells and macrophages. TCRLBCL shows a "tolerogenic" immune signature by gene expression profiling, as well as frequent upregulation of PD-L1 (Van Loo et al. PMID: 19797726; Chen et al. PMID: 23674495). Although these features suggest that active immune evasion is central to TCRLBCL pathogenesis, its mechanistic basis is poorly understood. Accordingly, we performed an integrated analysis of tumor genetics and cell-cell interactions within the tumor microenvironment to comprehensively study PD-1:PD-L1 interactions in a multi-institutional cohort of TCRLBCL. Methods: 34 cases of TCRLBCL were identified from the pathology archives of four academic medical centers. Control cohorts containing 21 cases of DLBCL and 106 cases of classic Hodgkin Lymphoma (CHL) were used as comparators. An established fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay was used to identify copy number changes and structural rearrangements of CD274 (PD-L1) and PDCD1LG2 (PD-L2) on chromosome 9p24.1, which represents the primary genetic mechanism of PD-L1/L2 expression in CHL (Roemer et al. PMID: 27069084). Tumor-specific expression of PD-L1 and PD-L2 protein was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and scoring by two pathologists using a modified H-score (percentage of positive tumor cells [0-100%] multiplied by the mean staining intensity [0-3+]). The topology of PD-L1/PD-1 expression and cell-cell interactions in the tumor microenvironment was determined by multispectral immunofluorescence (IF) microscopy and spatial image analysis, as previously performed for CHL (Carey et al. PMID: 28893733). Results: By FISH, copy gain or amplification of PD-L1 and PD-L2 was identified in 22/34 (64.7%) cases of TCRLBCL (Figure 1A) and was associated with a 4.9-fold increase in tumor PD-L1 expression relative to cases with disomy or polysomy (mean PD-L1 H-score 72 vs 14.7, p = 0.02). A rearrangement of PD-L2 was identified in one case and associated with diffuse expression of PD-L2. These findings contrasted with those observed in the DLBCL cohort, which showed a low overall frequency of 9p24.1 copy gain/amplification (5/21 cases, 23.8%) and only minimal tumor PD-L1 expression (mean PD-L1 H-score 15.6), and were intermediate to those observed in CHL, which shows near universal copy gain/amplification of 9p24.1 (98/106 cases, 92%) and extensive tumor PD-L1 expression (mean PD-L1 H-score 143.7; Figure 1B). By multispectral IF, TCRLBCL showed prominent infiltration by PD-L1+ tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) (Figure 1C), which were 5.5-fold increased relative to DLBCL and 6.6-fold increased relative to CHL (p < 0.001). TCRLBCL also showed marked infiltration by PD-1+ T cells, which were 12.3-fold increased relative to DLBCL and 3.4-fold increased relative to CHL (p < 0.001). By spatial analysis, PD-L1+ TAMs in TCRLBCL were located in closer proximity to tumor cells than PD-L1- TAMs (p < 0.001, Figure 1D-E) and also showed frequent direct interactions with PD-1+ T cells. These findings contrasted with those in DLBCL, where no local enrichment of PD-L1+ TAMs or PD-1+ T cells was identified, and were similar but more prominent than those observed in CHL. Conclusion: TCRLBCL is characterized by recurrent gains of PD-L1 and PD-L2 on chromosome 9p24.1 in association with tumor-specific expression of PD-1 ligands, as well as prominent infiltration by PD-L1+ TAMs and PD-1+ T cells. PD-L1+ TAMs in TCRLBCL are enriched around individual tumors cells and also show frequent direct interactions with PD-1+ T cells, consistent with the establishment of an immunoevasive-niche. These findings contrast with those observed in DLBCL and are most similar to those identified in CHL. Relative to CHL, however, TCRLBCL shows less frequent gains of 9p24.1 and tumor cell expression of PD-L1, and a greater degree of infiltration by PD-L1+ TAMs and PD-1+ T cells. These findings suggest that the PD-1:PD-L1 pathway is central to immune evasion in TCRLBCL and highlight the need to test the clinical efficacy of PD-1 blockade in this patient population. Disclosures Griffin: Moderna Therapeutics: Consultancy. Freeman:Novartis: Patents & Royalties; AstraZeneca: Patents & Royalties; Dako: Patents & Royalties; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol-Myers-Squibb: Patents & Royalties; Merck: Patents & Royalties; EMD-Serono: Patents & Royalties; Roche: Patents & Royalties; Xios: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Boehringer-Ingelheim: Patents & Royalties; Bristol-Myers-Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Origimed: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Hodi:Merck: Consultancy. Shipp:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Bayer: Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Honoraria. Rodig:KITE: Research Funding; Affimed: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Research Funding.

scholarly journals Preclinical development of CD37CAR T-cell therapy for treatment of B-cell lymphoma

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (8) ◽  
pp. 1230-1243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hakan Köksal ◽  
Pierre Dillard ◽  
Sarah E. Josefsson ◽  
Solrun Melkorka Maggadottir ◽  
Sylvie Pollmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Cell Therapy ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Xenograft Model ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
T Cell Therapy ◽  
Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Abstract T cells modified to express chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting CD19 (CD19CAR) have produced remarkable clinical responses in patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. CD19CAR T-cell therapy has also demonstrated prominent effects in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) patients. However, a subset of patients who relapse after CD19CAR T-cell therapy have outgrowth of CD19− tumor cells. Hence, development of alternative CARs targeting other B-cell markers represents an unmet medical need for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and B-NHL. Here, we confirmed previous data by showing that, overall, B-NHL has high expression of CD37. A second-generation CD37CAR was designed, and its efficacy in T cells was compared with that of CD19CAR. In vitro assessment of cytotoxicity and T-cell function upon coculture of the CAR T cells with different target B-cell lymphoma cell lines demonstrated comparable efficacy between the 2 CARs. In an aggressive B-cell lymphoma xenograft model, CD37CAR T cells were as potent as CD19CAR T cells in controlling tumor growth. In a second xenograft model, using U2932 lymphoma cells containing a CD19− subpopulation, CD37CAR T cells efficiently controlled tumor growth and prolonged survival, whereas CD19CAR T cells had limited effect. We further show that, unlike CD19CAR, CD37CAR was not sensitive to antigen masking. Finally, CD37CAR reactivity was restricted to B-lineage cells. Collectively, our results demonstrated that CD37CAR T cells also can effectively eradicate B-cell lymphoma tumors when CD19 antigen expression is lost and support further clinical testing for patients with relapsed/refractory B-NHL.

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